Ban rules Lima out of Samoa’s swansong

SAMOA captain Brian Lima’s landmark fifth World Cup was brought to a premature end yesterday when he was banned for three weeks for a high tackle on England’s Jonny Wilkinson in Saturday’s 44-22 defeat.

The ban rules Lima out of Samoa’s final game against the United States in St Etienne on Wednesday when the two sides will be fighting to avoid finishing last and winless in Pool A.

Lima, 35, was penalised and spoken to by the referee after his tackle across the throat of the England fly half but the Judicial Officer (JO) decided that it was worthy of further punishment.